Cover

ABSTRACT

A cover ( 101 ) for being located on an infusion device which cover ( 101 ) comprises an upper plate element ( 103 ) with an upper face ( 104 ) and a lower face ( 105 ) oriented towards the upper face of the infusion device, wherein the lower face ( 105 ) of the plate element ( 103 ) comprises attachment means ( 106 ), which means cooperate with elements on the infusion device.  
     Hereby the risk of bacteria and soil collected thereon penetrating into the construction is reduced considerably, and likewise the cover yields a smoother surface with an ensuing minimisation of the risk of the infusion device being torn off.

[0001] The invention relates to a cover for being located on an infusiondevice, said cover comprising an upper plate element with an upper faceand a lower face oriented towards the upper face of the infusion device.

[0002] In connection with an infusion device being located on the skin,it is known to shield it; such shielding, however, involving a completecovering of the infusion device and in such a manner that it becomesinaccessible to manipulation from the outside.

[0003] One example of this is known for instance from WO 87/06474. Thisdiscloses a device that can be strapped to the body over the location ofinsertion of an intravenous needle to shield the puncture area againstcontact and for anchoring the tube so that the needle will not be pulledout inadvertently.

[0004] However the construction necessitates use of an additional framefor securing the infusion device and also for securing the dome thatshields the entire infusion device and is also manufactured to be veryvoluminous. There is thus a risk of it being torn off during use and,likewise, it prevents access to the infusion device and, furthermore,there is a risk of the adhesive effect ceasing and, likewise, it cannotbe expected that adjustments of the shielding are possible as theadhesive effect will cease.

[0005] It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a coverthat remedies the problems that may occur in connection with the priorart covers and whereby complete or partial shielding of the upper freeface of the infusion set is enabled, but wherein the lower face isunshielded and the side faces are also partially unshielded, and whereina shielding of the plate takes place directly on the infusion device.Hereby it is obtained that the risk of bacteria and soil collectedthereon penetrating into the construction is reduced considerably, andlikewise the cover enables a smoother surface with an ensuingminimisation of the risk of the infusion device being torn off.

[0006] This object is obtained by a cover like the one described in thepreamble to claim 1 and wherein the lower face of the plate element alsocomprises attachment means, said means co-operating with elements on theinfusion device.

[0007] Thus, the cover functions in that, by means of its attachmentmeans that are provided on the lower free face, it fits into the upperface of the infusion device and by a press fitting ensures that thecover is securely attached onto the infusion device due to the clampingeffect obtained between the individual attachment means and can bereinforced by the infusion device preferably comprising, as described inthe attached claims, a side flange, and wherein this side flangecooperates with the attachment means to bring about a secure attachmentof the cover on the infusion device.

[0008] Preferably the upper face of the infusion device is configuredwith recesses, on the one hand longitudinally extending recesses andrather rounded cavities, and consequently the attachment means matchthese cavities and bring about the attachment. The upper face of thecover is smooth throughout and the entire lower face of the cover isessentially congruent with the upper face of the infusion device,whereby the adaptation is optimised. The cover may be removed by sideflanges, if any, being seized thereby exposing the entire infusiondevice. The cover can be configured such that the upper plate does notcover the entire infusion device, but merely comprises a tongue portionthat extends across a portion of the upper face of the infusion deviceand an essentially partially circular part that covers the remainder.

[0009] By providing a cover according to the invention and as furtherfeatured in claim 2, it is obtained that, in case the infusion devicethat consists of two parts is separated it is possible—due to thepresence of the flange—for the cover to remain in place on the partdesignated the cannula part; the attachment means and the flangebringing about a squeezing effect that secures the cover in position.

[0010] By provision of a cover in accordance with the invention and asfurther featured in claim 3, an optimal complete or partial shielding ofthe infusion device is obtained.

[0011] Provision of a cover according to the invention and as furtherfeatured in claim 4 makes it possible to seize the exposed parts of theinfusion device and thus to carry out a separation thereof.

[0012] Provision of a cover in accordance with the invention and asfurther featured in claim 5 enables close contact between the cover andthe infusion device, and hereby a click-attachment is obtained.

[0013] Provision of a cover in accordance with the invention and asfurther featured in claims 5, 7 and 8 brings about a convenient shape ofthe attachment means.

[0014] Provision of a cover in accordance with the invention and asfurther featured in claim 9 enables separation of the hub and cannulapart while simultaneously the cover remains in place on the cannulapart.

[0015] The invention will now be explained in further detail withreference to the drawing wherein

[0016] FIGS. 1-4 show an infusion set as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,522,803 and for which a cover in accordance with the invention can beused;

[0017]FIG. 5 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cover according tothe invention, seen in a perspective view from above;

[0018]FIG. 6 shows the cover shown in FIG. 5, in a perspective view seenfrom below;

[0019]FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment according to the invention,seen in perspective view from the bottom;

[0020]FIG. 8 shows a third exemplary embodiment in accordance with theinvention, seen in perspective view and from the bottom;

[0021]FIG. 9 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment seen in perspectiveview and from the bottom;

[0022]FIG. 10 shows the cover shown in FIG. 5 located on an infusion setin accordance with FIG. 1.

[0023] The infusion set of FIG. 1 comprises a cannula housing 1 with asoft cannula 2 secured therein and manufactured in a conventional mannerof a suitable plastics material. The infusion set further comprises aconnecting hub 3 connected in a conventional manner through a hose 4with a lower coupling member 5 to be used for the coupling thereof to aninsulin pump (not shown).

[0024]FIG. 2 shoves the cannula housing 1 and the connecting hub 3 on alarger scale and creating the infusion device 102. It appears clearlythat together they are of a relatively flat shape and of a uniformthickness and have a substantially plane rear side. When seen from thetop, they are together of a substantially circular shape, said shapebeing interrupted only by recesses 7 and 8, respectively, forfacilitating a finger-handling. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cannulahousing 1 and the connecting hub 3 are divided substantially along adiametrical central plane, a central projection 9 being provided on saidcannula housing 1 and projecting into a mating recess in the connectinghub 3. In FIG. 3, the cannula 2 is slightly curved in order toillustrate that it is bendable.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cannula housing comprises two guideopenings 16 and 15 and two locking openings 17 and 18 in addition to therectilinear through bore 10. These openings are symmetrically shapedabout a plane including the central axis 14 of the through passageway 13and extending perpendicular to the rear side 6. The guide openings 15and 16 are elongate openings are adapted to receive mating guide pins 21and 22 on the connecting hub 3, cf. FIG. 4.

[0026] The locking openings 17 and 18 adjacent the guide openings 15 and16 and the central through bore 10 follow a rectilinear course parallelto the central axis 14 and consequently also parallel to the guideopenings 15 and 16. The locking openings 17 and 18 at the bottom areconnected to the surface of the cannula housing through a shaft orchannel 27 and 28, respectively, extending perpendicular from saidlocking openings 17 and 18.

[0027] The locking openings 17 and 18 are adapted to receive matingsymmetrically shaped locking pins 31 and 32 on the connecting hub 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, these locking pins 31 and 32 are engaging withthe locking openings 17 and 18.

[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, curve-shaped recesses 37 and 38 areshaped on each side of the locking pins 21 and 22. These recesses ensurethat the locking pins 31 and 32 can be moved easily by means of afinger.

[0029]FIG. 4 shows furthermore that centrally the connecting hub 3comprises a needle 40. When inserted through a membrane in the cannulahousing 1, this needle provides a connection between the hose 4 of theinfusion set and the through passageway 13 of the cannula housing 1.

[0030] Reference now being made to FIGS. 5-9, the cover 101 will bedescribed in further detail. FIG. 5 shows a first exemplary embodimentof a cover 101 seen from the top and comprising an upper plate portion103 which is shaped to be essentially planar and has an upper face 104which is plane and smooth. In this case, the upper plate portion 103 isconfigured as a partially circular element 115 that extends into atongue part 114. At the delimiting edge of the plate elementcorresponding to the partially circular area, it extends into a flange108, wherein flange and plate element form an essentially 90° wideangle—a first angle—to each other. Furthermore, this angle has apartially circular recess 116 essentially corresponding to the centreaxis of the cover and arranged symmetrically thereabout, said recess 116ensuring that hoses can freely and unimpededly extend from whateverinfusion device shielded by the cover. Thus the cover is configuredsymmetrically about its longitudinally extending centre axis 119.Typically the upper plate portion 103 will have a thickness within therange 1.5-2 mm. Typically the flange will assume approximately the samethickness, however, optionally thicker in the transition area betweenplate and flange.

[0031]FIG. 6 shows the cover shown in FIG. 5, seen from below, fromwhere the lower face 105 of the plate element 103 will appear which isessentially plane, optionally slightly curved; such, however, that thisface is congruent with the infusion device on top of which it is to belocated. This face comprises attachment means 106 that comprise in thiscase two types, viz two plate elements 111 and two partially cylindricalelements 110. The two plate elements 111 are each configured asrectangular plate elements that are cast integrally with the cover andare located perpendicular to the lower face 105. The rectangular facesof the plate elements are in parallel with the centre axis 114 of thecover and are located with a second mutual spacing, corresponding to9-10 mm. The plate elements are located in such a manner that, when thecover is located on an infusion device, they will fit into recesses onthe infusion device, eg the recesses indicated in FIG. 2 by 37 and 38.Hereby a firm attachment of the cover to the infusion device is ensured,since—on the one hand—there is a span between the two rectangular plateelements and—on the other—a span between flange and plate elements.

[0032] Conveniently the plate elements can be provided with a recess: apartially circular recess facing towards the flange and corresponding tothe upper free edge, whereby a nail-shaped cavity is provided and beingshown in the drawing with a concave face 113 that extends into the sidefaces at a concave delimiting edge 112. It is the object of this recessto enable the cover to remain in place when the two parts of theinfusion device, viz the cannula housing and the connection hub, areseparated and wherein the infusion device remains in position on thecannula housing.

[0033] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment the attachment means106 also comprise the two partially cylindrical elements 110 that arelocated with their centre axis perpendicular to the lower face 105 andlocated at a first mutual distance in such a manner that they fit intothe openings and channels on the infusion device 27 and 28 that areshown in FIG. 2. The height of these partially cylindrical attachmentmeans is typically in an order of magnitude of 1 mm. The height of therectangular plate elements is typically 3.5 mm, whereas the length ofthe latter is comprised within the range 5-6 mm.

[0034]FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a cover 101 andwherein the difference over those described in FIGS. 5 and 6 resides inthe shape of the attachment means and also the geometrical shape of theupper plate part 103. In this case the upper plate element 103 is shapedto be circular and, likewise, the flange is not provided with a recess116. The rectangular face elements are provided on the same locationrelative to the infusion device as in FIGS. 5-6, but they do notcomprise the concave delimiting edge 112, but constitute a truerectangular plate. Further attachment means are in this case located onthe flange, the inner face 109 of the flange being provided with twoblocks 117, whose upper and lower delimiting faces are essentially inparallel with the lower face 105 of the upper plate portion 103. Theseblocks are able to engage either underneath the lower edge of theinfusion device or in suitable recesses on the side faces of theinfusion device as such.

[0035]FIG. 8 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a cover according tothe invention and wherein the difference between this and the teachingsof FIGS. 5-6 is firstly that the attachment means 106 have plateelements 11 that do not in this case either comprise a concavedelimiting edge 112. These attachment means are thus true rectangularplates. Furthermore the flange 108 comprises essentially two wallportions 118 that extend perpendicular from the flange and has the samematerial thickness as the flange as such. This edge, which more or lesscorresponds to the delimiting edge of the flange—in such a manner,however, that the wall is interrupted—wherein the circular recess 116 isprovided, can like the one shown in FIG. 7, engage either in convenientrecesses on the infusion device or underneath this lower face.Furthermore the geometrical shape of the upper plate element is notcompletely circular; recesses having been provided that enable thefingers to more easily seize around the cover.

[0036]FIG. 9 is essentially identical to the one shown in FIG. 8, butwherein the perpendicular 118 extending from the flange 108 is notprovided.

[0037] Conveniently the cover is made in an injection moulding processand wherein suitable materials are M-ABS and PC-ABS.

[0038]FIG. 10 shows a cover essentially like the one shown in FIGS. 5-6located on an infusion device corresponding to an infusion device astaught in FIGS. 1-4. Thus the cover is shown to cover any recesses andcut-outs present in the upper face of the infusion device, and whereinthe flange 108 engages downwards around the rear side face of theinfusion device and corresponding to the rearmost face of the cannulahousing and with a circular recess 116 that ensures free access of thehose from the infusion device. When the infusion device is thus to beused, its recesses 7 and 8 are seized and wherein the fingers arepressed towards each other on each their side. By this process thecannula housing and the connection hub are separated from each other.Due to the shape of the cover and the engagement of the attachment meansin relation to the infusion device, it remains in place on the cannulahousing, while the connection hub is separated off. Subsequently theinfusion device can be used as is also taught in eg U.S. Pat. No.5,522,803.

[0039] The cover is not intended for use merely in connection with suchinfusion device, of course it may also lend itself to other geometries,wherein the essential aspect is thus that the lower face of the coverhas attachment means that engage with elements on the upper face of theinfusion device, typically by male/female engagement functionality,wherein the male part is located on the lower face of the cover andwherein the female part are the recesses and other cut-outs that aretypically present on the upper face of an infusion device. Whether theupper face of the infusion device is curved or concave, flat ortriangular is of lesser relevance, the cover being essentiallymanufactured with a plate element which is congruent with the face andthus covers the same completely or partially.

1. A cover (101) for being located on an infusion device, said cover(101) comprising an upper plate element (103) with an upper face (104)and a lower face (105) oriented towards the upper face of the infusiondevice, characterised in that the lower face (105) of the plate element(103) comprises attachment means (106), said means cooperating withelements on the infusion device.
 2. A cover according to claim 1,characterised in that the cover (101) further comprises a flange (108)that forms a first angle in relation to the upper plate (103) and isconnected thereto.
 3. A cover according to claim 2, characterised inthat the face of the flange (108) facing towards the outer side faces ofthe infusion device is essentially congruent therewith.
 4. A coveraccording to claims 2-3, characterised in that the expanse of the upperplate element (101) is smaller than the expanse of the upper face of theinfusion device, and that the flange (108) extends partially around theside faces of the infusion device.
 5. A cover according to any one ofthe preceding claims, characterised in that the attachment means (106)are male parts and that the elements on the infusion device are providedby recesses.
 6. A cover according to any one of the preceding claims,characterised in that the attachment means (106) comprise at least twoprotruding partially cylindrical elements located (110) at a firstmutual distance.
 7. A cover according to any one of the precedingclaims, characterised in that the attachment means (106) comprise atleast two protruding plate elements (111 ) located at a second mutualdistance.
 8. A cover according to claim 7, characterised in that theprotruding plate elements (111 ) are essentially rectangularplate-shaped and axis parallel with the centre axis of the infusiondevice.
 9. A cover according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that theprotruding plate elements (111) comprise a concave delimiting edge (112)and concave side face (113).